Analysis

Here is a short summary of the analysis of “The Vigilante” by John Steinbeck.

The structure of the story includes narrative elements like flashback and backstory and traditional plot elements. The title is symbolic of Mike’s attitude and that of the mob who decide to lynch a man suspected of a crime because they fear his lawyer might get him out.

The most important characters —that we will analyze next— are Mike and Welch. Mike is the main character in the short story, whose perspective and inner conflicts the narrator follows.

The most relevant setting aspect is the social one. It depicts small-town American society in the 1930s and illustrates aspects related to racism, violence, justice, and relationships.

John Steinbeck uses simple, colloquial language in “The Vigilante”, which helps convey the simplicity of the characters. Important language devices are similes, metaphors, repetitions, and symbols. The narrator’s presence is felt in small comments about the characters’ attitude when they talk, which puts the storyteller in the observer position.

Read the entire analysis of the short story in the next pages!